PARIS, Oct 4, 2006/ FW/ --- With a remix of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Going Back To Basics’ blaring on the background, John Galliano surprised the fashion set with a very ‘basic’ Spring 2007 collection, sending dress suits and shift dresses, with only a sprinkling of evening gowns.

Gone were the elaborate stage set and the ‘treasure hunt’ for beautiful accessories and apparel pieces, staples of a John Galliano show since he began at Christian Dior. It seems that Galliano was saying, ‘what you see is what you get’ as suit dresses in gray, white and olive green were paraded on the runway.

Adornments were used sparingly – embroidered rosettes, veined stitching and wide piping on sleeves and hems. To the risk of sounding redundant, Galliano sent out the ‘fundamental pieces’ of a woman’s wardrobe.

As the crooner sang, ‘Going back to basics to where it all began, I'm ready now to face it I wanna understand,’ cigarette pants paired with empire blouses, with only a knot as adornment, cocktail dresses with taut bodice featuring ‘woven’ strips of fabric to give it texture, jersey tees with sequins, again thinly embedded in front, and tube dresses given a V-halter neckline with just a big ruffle running from the top to the hemline.

Everything was wearable and every piece would be a great addition to a woman’s wardrobe. It was a very nice collection.

Still, one does not usually use the word ‘nice’ when it comes to John Galliano. The usual adjectives used are ‘superb, magnificent and feast for the eyes.’

Perhaps, John Galliano had taken Christina Aguilera’s song to heart; his choice of music was definitely perfect for the collection.

But, he had his audience perplexed. Perhaps, it’s the way he wants it and exactly what he had planned all along. After all, John Galliano has never ceased to amaze his audience and continuously give them surprises.

And this collection is definitely one of them!

Dior by John Galliano

Dior by John Galliano

Dior by John Galliano

Dior by John Galliano